Database (n.) a structured collection of data, typically stored electronically and accessible for querying and analysis. In computing, a database is organized to support efficient storage, retrieval, and management of information, often via a database management system. It can refer to a single database or the broader field of data systems and storage architectures.
"We stored customer information in the company’s new database."
"The database is indexed to speed up searches."
"An analyst queried the database to extract quarterly sales data."
"Cloud services offer scalable databases with automated backups."
The term database originated in the mid-20th century from a literal combination of data and base, reflecting a foundational repository for data storage. The concept emerged with early data processing and database management ideas in the 1960s and 1970s as computers began to store and retrieve larger data sets more efficiently. The word “database” is a compound noun: base implying a foundational structure and data the information stored within it. Over time, “database” expanded from a physical or logical collection to a formal, standardized term representing software systems that organize, query, and manage data. First known uses appear in technical literature of the late 1960s to early 1970s, with evolving notions of relational databases in the 1970s popularizing the term in both academic and enterprise contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Database" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Database" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Database"
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Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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Pronounce as /ˈdeɪ.təˌbeɪs/ in US/UK/AU. Start with the stressed syllable /ˈdeɪ/ (like “day”). The middle syllable is a short schwa /tə/ or /tə/ in rapid speech. End with /beɪs/ (rhymes with “base”). In careful speech you can keep /tə/ distinct; in casual talk it often reduces to a quick schwa. Audio resources reference common pronunciations in tech talks and dictionaries.
Common errors: treating it as /ˈdæ.təˌbeɪs/ with a short /æ/ in the first syllable (American nuance) and misplacing stress on the second syllable (de-BA-s). Another error is pronouncing the final /beɪs/ as /bæs/ or /beiz/ lacking the /eɪ/ diphthong. Correct by maintaining /ˈdeɪ/ for the first syllable, using a neutral /tə/ or reduced /tə/ in the middle, and ensuring /beɪs/ ends with the /eɪ/ diphthong rather than a short /ə/ sound.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈdeɪ.təˌbeɪs/ with rhotic 'r' absence in the word and a clearer /eɪ/ in /deɪ/ and /beɪs/. UK English commonly uses /ˈdeɪ.təˌbeɪs/ as well, with slightly crisper /ˈdeɪ/ and less vowel reduction in fast speech. Australian English tends to maintain /ˈdeɪ.təˌbeɪs/ too, but you may hear a slightly more centralized schwa in the middle syllable or a subtle vowel shift in non-stressed positions. Overall, the rhyme remains 'base' across accents.
Key challenges are: keeping the stress on the first syllable in rapid tech talk, producing the /ˈdeɪ/ diphthong accurately, and the middle /tə/ which often reduces in fluent speech. The final /beɪs/ requires a precise /eɪ/ diphthong and avoiding a reduced /beəs/ or /bæs/. Tongue and lip posture shift between the front, mid, and high vowels; the sequence demands controlled timing in speech. Focusing on the rhythm helps maintain clarity across contexts.
There are no silent letters in the standard pronunciation. All letters correspond to audible sounds: /ˈdeɪ/. /tə/ in the middle is typically reduced but still audible as a syllable. The final /beɪs/ contains a full /b/ onset and /eɪ/ diphthong. In rapid speech, the middle syllable may be minimally realized, but it is not silent. Pronunciation practice should aim for at least a light, audible /tə/ to maintain rhythm.
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